Why isn't blue more popular for tweed?

[kilted2000]

I have noticed that while lovat green seems to be one of the most popular tweed colors, lovat blue is rarely ever seen. Why is this? I prefer the lovat blue but I'm wondering if it is considered in bad taste especially for traditional kilt wearers in the Highlands of Scotland? When it comes to green tweeds I like the darker greens, but they remind me too much of the Masters' jackets to pull the trigger on one in that color. I'm sure I am overthinking this, I often do, but should I avoid the lovat blue?

If you don't know about the Masters jacket you can read about it here.
https://www.pga.com/story/masters-gr...tory-and-facts

[Jock Scot]

For no particular reason I really don’t like blue tweed, or blue cloth. Perhaps as a country man, blue is just not a natural colour and sticks out like a sore thumb. If I then move that thought to the Highlands of Scotland, the home of the kilt, then I think there again blue just does not fit in with the assorted shades of greys, greens and browns that are predominant there. Other than that , I have no idea!

However, If you like tweed with shades of blue, I see no reason not to wear it.

[OC Richard]

I have noticed that while Lovat green seems to be one of the most popular tweed colors, Lovat blue is rarely ever seen.

That question took me by surprise, because when I started kiltwearing (1970s) and looking at various photos, the men I saw at Highland Games, and what was available in catalogues and local shops (there being no internet) the two major colours seen in tweed kilt jackets were Lovat Blue and Lovat Green.

Those two colours were also among the few colours of kilt hose and Robert Mackie bonnets available.

For example I have here a 1950s catalogue from The Tartan Gift Shop 96 Princes Street Edinburgh and they offer tweed kilt jackets in only three colours: Lovat Blue, Lovat Green, and Fawn. (Fawn has always been a popular colour in Robert Mackie bonnets and kilt hose.)

But you're right, seems like nowadays I see greens such as Lovat and Moss, and another green I don't know the British name for but resembles German feldgrau more often that I see Lovat Blue.

BTW there are other blue tweeds seen in kilt jackets like a deep blue and a brighter blue sometimes called St Andrews Blue.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Lovat Blue isn't overtly "blue" being blue and green mingled:



The "Highland blue" above is often called St Andrews Blue, while the "stone" above was called Fawn in the old days.

Here's one site's tweed jacket offerings:



Here in the USA "forest green" means a quite dark green. The "forest green" above is the feldgrau I mentioned.

What I don't see above is Moss which has always been popular for tweed kilt jackets.

Here are three tweed jackets of mine, left to right Lovat Blue, a colour I'm not sure what to call, and Moss:



Here's a photo from a modern Highland Games in Scotland where you can see a range of tweeds including Lovat Blue (far left)

[DunRovinStation]

I agree with above, it's not that it's not a Natural colour, but rather it is not a colour used in the natural landscape, which is what the tweeds were originally designed from and for. So shockingly enough, while not considered a traditional 'natural, neutral colour' the greens can sway that way easier than the blues. My two pennies worth.

[McMurdo]

From what I have noticed Lovat Blue and Lovat Green are basically interchangeable. My own experience is that I purchased a Lovat Blue tweed long before I found a Lovat Green. That was more an economic factor than anything else and the Lovat Blue was available im the For Sale section.

[Steve Ashton]

It was my understanding from speaking with some old, respected, tweed weavers that the term "Lovat", in the beginning, was more a cost saving idea and an advertising gimmick.

A weaver could purchase just two colors of Tweed yarn from his dyer. A Green Tweed yarn and a Blue Tweed yarn. He could then create four colors of cloth with these two basic colors. All Blue Tweed, All Green Tweed - and if he mixed his warp yarns with alternating Green and Blue, but tossed a shuttle of Green, the fabric was primarily Green with a touch of Blue - Lovat Green, and if he tossed a shuttle of Blue the fabric was primarily Blue with a touch of Green - Lovat Blue.

[figheadair]

It was my understanding from speaking with some old, respected, tweed weavers that the term "Lovat", in the beginning, was more a cost saving idea and an advertising gimmick.

A weaver could purchase just two colors of yarn from his dyer. A Green and a Blue. He could then create four colors of cloth with these two basic colors. Solid Blue, solid Green - and if he mixed his warp yarns with alternating Green and Blue, but tossed a shuttle of Green, the fabric was primarily Green - Lovat Green, and if he tossed a shuttle of Blue the fabric was primarily Blue - Lovat Blue.

Steve,

I've not heard this before. The me, what differentiates a tweed from tartan is the use of a mixture yarn in the former and a solid colour yarn in the latter. By that definition, the Gun Club checks (Estate Tweeds), such as Coigach, are in fact checks or tartans rather than tweeds. Many of these were based on the Shepherd Check which os course also known as Shepherd Tartan, but never Shepherd Tweed. Change the white to red and we have the Rob Roy tartan.

The traditional mixed tweed yarns are produced by mixing two or more different colour fleeces together and then spinning the resulting mixed fleece. Weaving with a single colour, blue or green, would result in a solid colour cloth that would not be tweed.

The Lovat tweed is said to have been created in 1845 by mixing blue and yellow yarns, the marled green Lovat tweed still blends perfectly with the heather, bracken, bluebells and birches surrounding the Lovat estate. Today, there is a range of shades sold as Lovat Green, ditto Lovat Blue. In each, there is a greater amount of those individual colours which therefore affects the overall hue of the cloth.

[OC Richard]

For sure when I see Lovat Blue and Lovat Green side-by-side the difference seems more one of degree than of kind, because both have green and blue mingled.

[figheadair]

A piece of the original Lovat tweed, made from blue and yellow dyed fleeces. Although there is no green involved, the overall hue is a yellowish-green.

Stewart Christie Sample Book - Lovat Tweed.jpg

[Regimental]

I agree Lovat Blue is not that common – I think it can look really good in the right outfit, and with the right tartan, but it probably requires more care than natural greens and greys.

I do see dark blues being worn quite a bit though, as they stand out a little less against charcoals and dark greys, and are probably easier to pair with modern forms of tartan.